XDmC .40 vs. XDm .45

I am looking to purchase my first pistol. Well, first gun period. I am considering the XDmC .40 cal or the XDm .45. My heart has always been set on having a .45 and I really would love to have one, however I want my first pistol to be convenient for a CCL. Any suggestions?

I know you say it is your first gun, but have you fired these calibers before? Best thing to do is to fire the guns you are debating, and decide from there. If you have shooting experience, you can pick which caliber you feel is best for your purpose, if not...go give 'em a try. They all have different feels, and they all will do the trick when placed correctly.

I do understand that smaller is easier to conceal, but I want a much greater stopping power than, say, the 9mm. Everyone gets a 9. I don't want a 9. I plan to shoot both guns but I don't know how that will happen. How can I find someone who has one or both guns and will actually let me shoot them?

I know you say it is your first gun, but have you fired these calibers before? Best thing to do is to fire the guns you are debating, and decide from there. If you have shooting experience, you can pick which caliber you feel is best for your purpose, if not...go give 'em a try. They all have different feels, and they all will do the trick when placed correctly.

For conceal carry, smaller is more concealable...

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^What he said, the XDm 45 will be VERY hard to conceal, XDm40c much easier.

I do understand that smaller is easier to conceal, but I want a much greater stopping power than, say, the 9mm. Everyone gets a 9. I don't want a 9. I plan to shoot both guns but I don't know how that will happen. How can I find someone who has one or both guns and will actually let me shoot them?

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Look for a range that will rent them. 9 has good enough stopping power BTW. Placement is more important than caliber. My recommendation to you would be to carry what you can shoot well. You can always buy a 1911 later, once you start with .45 you'll want one anyway. lol

I do understand that smaller is easier to conceal, but I want a much greater stopping power than, say, the 9mm. Everyone gets a 9. I don't want a 9. I plan to shoot both guns but I don't know how that will happen. How can I find someone who has one or both guns and will actually let me shoot them?

There are plenty defense rounds in 9mm that have stopping power. And if you can't hit for a damn, you have 20 rounds to miss with. If you don't want a 9mm that's fine, but it's a cheaper round to kill paper and has plenty of stopping power with a home defense round chambered.

I wish they made the XDm .45 in a compact model, but they don't. At least not yet. I love the short mag and mag extension option with the .40 3.8 and I am probably leaning toward that. I really don't want a 9mm. Yes, cheaper ammo, but really, whats a few bucks?

I would recommend shooting them before you buy if you can; always a good idea.

You may want to look at the cost of ammo. 45 is expensive, 40 is cheaper and 9mm is the cheapest. If this is your first hand gun you should shoot it a lot. You want to become proficient so you can protect yourself and not shoot innocent people. Every round that does not hit the bad guy could hit a good guy and you would be responsible.

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